With the help of Lake Tahoe wedding planner She Said Yes, David and Makenzie made their summer wedding at Hellman-Ehrman mansion a relaxed and colorful affair that was truly their own. But before we break down all the delightful details, let’s get to know this sweet couple!
Meeting on a beach in San Diego when they were just 14 years old, David and Makenzie were instant best friends and dated for the last two years of high school. College took them to different parts of the country but they eventually reunited and got engaged, surrounded by their best friends, on New Year’s Eve 2018 – a dream come true after knowing each other for almost 15 years!
Tahoe has always been the go-to happy place for this couple, and they immediately knew this was where they would tie the knot. They toured four different venues and were close to giving up on their Tahoe wedding dreams when Makenzie found out they had received a lottery slot to hold their celebration at Sugar Pine Point State Park. They said yes, sight unseen, and the bride-to-be cried tears of joy when she toured the Hellman-Ehrman mansion grounds a few months later.
This lakefront mansion, built in 1903 of local granite from nearby Meeks Bay and lumber from Hobart Mills, was originally called Pine Lodge and known as one of the finest summer homes on the lake. Working with the muted mountain tones of the mansion and park, David and Makenzie added pops of vibrant color with vintage rugs and summer wildflowers. We love the way the bridesmaids’ neutral dresses connect with the beautiful driftwood arch, made by Makenzie’s father with wood he collected around Lake Tahoe for over a year.
The design inspiration for the wedding was an elegant, boho backyard barbecue, with a food truck, mobile bar, lawn games, and fun, danceable tunes. Each table was named after a country they have visited together and cornhole bags featured their baby photos – so cute! Instead of traditional cake, they opted for donut towers and cupcakes. The mobile bar served their favorite beers and a hard kombucha local to their hometown of San Diego.
David and Makenzie spent a lot of time creating the perfect playlist and it paid off – the dance floor was absolutely packed! But before the dancing started, the bride and groom slipped away for a quiet moment and the most gorgeous photos on the dock. Congratulations to these childhood sweethearts on making their Tahoe wedding dreams come true.
